For the blustery days, when the wind is cutting and the sun remains out of sight. This hat is polar vortex proof, securely fitting, and works as a watch-cap or beanie length accessory.

I was inspired by the mathematically-inclined dragons in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series. The dragons are written to be so charming and intuitive with respect to geometric concepts. Temeraire’s partner, Captain Laurence, needed a hat this warm on several of their adventures.

When I designed this pattern, Colorado was enduring a lengthy cold snap around the holidays. I made one of these hats for every person in the family, which they discovered in their stockings. It’s a fun knit, and suits everyone.

Construction Notes

You’ll cast on a brim and knit ribbing for double length before stitching one full repeat of the pavilion pattern (provided as charts and/or written instructions and includes decreases at the crown). After that, you’ll pick up and knit one stitch for every stitch cast on, and knit a plain stockinette liner that follows the same shape as the patterned body.

Because this pattern is a generous two layers, most sizes will probably use more than one full skein of DK weight yarn. I like to play with scrap yarns and stripe patterns in the stockinette liner, rather than using a second skein of my main color.

Gauge

22 stitches and 31.5 rows in 4”/10cm stockinette in the round

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4) 5 to fit head circumference 16 (18, 20, 22) 24 inches

Yarn

160 (230, 290, 300) 360 yards DK weight yarn

Sample pictured is The Plucky Knitter Primo DK in Barn Door

Equipment

Size 6 (4 mm) 16” circular needles and/or DPNs (or whatever size is needed to meet gauge requirement)
Tapestry Needle

“I should rather have you than a heap of gold, even if it were very comfortable to sleep on.”
Naomi Novik—His Majesty’s Dragon